What is Architecture?

I am new to this forum and have been curious about some other people's thoughts on how they would define architecture. I'm sure this question might have come up quite often, whether in your debates or within each other.

the art or science of building, including plan, design, construction, and decorative element.

the character or style of a building or buildings.

the action or process of building; construction.

Architecture is definable. But it cannot be explained in words alone. To know architecture, it is necessary to know its components and how they fit and work. Architecture is by definition both art and science. This seeming contradiction can be understood only through the building process. Because of all the arts and of all the sciences, only architecture is so intimately involved with humanity. Only architecture encloses people.

And people make architecture work. From concept to reality, people working together create buildings.

We know ourselves and others, past and present, through the architecture our societies created. We visit Egypt to see the Pyramids, Greece to see the Parthenon, and Rome to see the Coliseum. Who would go to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Cathedral of Notre Dame? Certainly one could not imagine London without its Tower or New York without the Statue of Liberty.

I think you should know that you have to design building in architecture.

To put it simply, architecture is a combination of applied art and science which deals with the built as well as the unbuilt.

Art can be anything, from an oil painted portrait to a ceramic vase. It cannot be used as such, it has to be applied according to the requirements so that the structure becomes asthetically appealing. Eg. Norman Foster designed one of his towers in the form of a standing bullet.

Further common science of electrification, lighting, plumbing etc. perfected over ages is also employed to make the habitat self sufficient and functional.

An architect doesn't only deal with buildings or the built form of the building. It is the quality of space that he has to influence. He says a great deal by not saying anything- by not constructing anything.

Architecture is a very philosophical field. It has a lot of subtle percepts attache, you have to do it to truly know it.